‘The Odyssey’ brings in $264.1 million in worldwide ticket sales, studio says

Director Christopher Nolan's epic adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem, "The Odyssey," has made a colossal debut at the global box office, raking in $264.1 million during its opening weekend. This impressive figure includes $124.5 million from the U.S. and Canada alone, according to Universal Pictures.

The film stars Matt Damon in the iconic role of the Greek hero Odysseus, chronicling his perilous voyage home following his exploits in the Trojan War. This marks Nolan's return to filmmaking after the monumental success of his 2023 blockbuster "Oppenheimer," which garnered multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

"The Odyssey" carried a substantial production budget of $250 million. Audiences responded enthusiastically, awarding the film an 'A' CinemaScore and a near-perfect 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. These strong reception metrics place the film among Nolan's most successful opening weekends.

When adjusted for inflation, "The Odyssey" ranks as his third-highest global opening, trailing only "The Dark Knight Rises" ($358.5 million inflation-adjusted opening) and "The Dark Knight" ($304 million inflation-adjusted opening). The film's success was further amplified by viewer preference for premium viewing experiences, with half of the U.S. and Canadian audience choosing enhanced formats, including 23% opting for IMAX screenings. Demand was so high that IMAX theaters added early morning showtimes in response to overwhelming ticket sales that began a year prior.